The key to a lush, green lawn is healthy soil. And Yardscaping, a program of the Cumberland County Soil & Water Conservation District, seeks to help Mainers improve soil health, reduce the use of lawn care products, and grow a beautiful lawn with little or no additives.
Using fertilizers and weed and bug killers unnecessarily can be unsafe for your family and pets. These products also pollute local water resources – fertilizer can cause too much algae to grow, and weed and bug killers are often toxic to more than just lawn pests. Adopting YardScaping practices can help you grow a healthy lawn while reducing the use of these products.
A handful of healthy soil contains millions of tiny organisms that your lawn needs. Here are some of the most common YardScaping practices to improve soil and your lawn:
Healthy grass plants need healthy roots – set mower blades at 3” to help roots grow deeper into the soil.- Always leave grass clippings on the lawn for free, natural fertilizer.
- Add grass seed to your lawn and fill in bare spots regularly to have a lush lawn with no room for weeds.
- Test your soil before you fertilize to know exactly what nutrients your lawn needs.
- Use compost tea to add microorganisms to soil and strengthen grass.
- Water only when needed – lawns need only 1 – 1.5” of water per week.
Visit the YardScaping website at www.cumberlandswcd.org/yardscape for more information and to find a list of partner stores.
